Dear Friend,

Dear Friend,

Beginning with Ash Wednesday and lasting until Easter, Lent is the season of the year in which the follower of Jesus Christ is invited to review and renew the depth of his or her commitment to Jesus Christ.

A Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, one of the great devotional classics of our century was written by Hannah Whitall Smith. Her words of clear love for Jesus Christ and positive encouragement have stirred literally millions of Christians to reach more eagerly for a deep relationship with God.

Hannah Smith recommended a simple prayer for the Christian to be used as a means of growing deeper in God's love:

Lord, I am thine; I do yield myself up entirely to thee, and I believe that thou dost take me. I leave myself with thee. Work in me all the good pleasure of thy will and I will only lie still in Thy hands and trust Thee.

Hannah Smith suggested that this simple prayer of surrender and trust be prayed several times each day.

As part of my own spiritual disciplines during this season of Lent, I have enjoyed memorizing Hannah's prayer and using it three or four times each day, on waking, upon going to bed, and during the day.

I encourage you to carry this prayer with you this week or memorize it (it is fairly short).

If you prefer to substitute "yours" for "Thine" and "You" for "Thee", go right ahead.

Use this simple prayer several times a day each day this week as one way of growing in your love for Jesus Christ as we drawer nearer to Easter.